Powerful Life

OPPD receives award from Habitat for Humanity Omaha

Habitat for Humanity of Omaha has recognized OPPD as their Corporate Partner of the Year.

The utility was presented the award during Habitat Omaha’s Volunteer Appreciation event at Baxter Arena on Nov. 9. The organization said OPPD has helped them elevate their Rock the Block program to new levels through OPPD’s involvement.

2019 events

Employees volunteered for two of the Rock the Block events this year. The event focuses efforts to revitalize and beautify one block in a neighborhood. Combined, more than 100 OPPD employees participated this year.

“Between the record number of volunteers you bring out and the leadership your project managers provide, we cannot sing your praises enough,” Jenny Schroeder, volunteer services manager for Habitat Omaha, said in the announcement.

Participating in events such as Rock the Block is just one way OPPD employees embody the utility’s core value of honoring our communities.

“We have so many employees who naturally just want to give back,” said Jamie Wagner, community relations project manager at OPPD. “This event is great for all employees, no matter their skill level. There really is a job for everyone, whether it’s building a deck or painting a picnic table.”

Rock the Block volunteers were led by Habitat Omaha crew leaders as well as 17 OPPD project leads. Habitat Omaha selected the area to revitalize and OPPD project leads joined them for several pre-meetings to define the scope of work and identify resource needs for the event. Doing so allowed for a more cohesive, organized collaboration, organizers said.

“The OPPD volunteers were some of the best I’ve worked with,” Schroeder said. “They were all so hard-working and willing to do whatever was needed.”

OPPD’s Community Outreach personnel work in communities throughout OPPD’s service territory. Their efforts include developing relationships and forming partnerships with particular focus on education, basic needs, and community and environmental betterment.